Comments: A spicier and longer finish is to go up then right over a small overhang.(this is well below the bolt) Run it out right face climbing to a vertical crack and ascend to under the arch to a comfortable belay, (5.7).

There are several alternative exits from the arch, all about the same difficulty. The highest quality alternative is to continue with an easy long pitch and exit at the overhang that is shared by N.E. Face West and several other routes.

Comments: This is as good a climb as Whodunit in almost all respects, especially if you start at the base of the buttress in the middle of the recess and do the first pitch or two of Constellation (5.8 or so)avoiding the first easy scrambling pitches.

The crux is an unusual crack configuration I've never seen anywhere else.

Comments: If you have a 60M rope and do a short, (about 60 Ft) first pitch, you end up with comfortable belays with good anchors at the end of each pitch. Go up and a little left after the summit overhang (where El Wampo, etc. join) for a better finish.

Comments: Actualy We found it highly ironic that we had to pack out trash found on top of the formation! Pick up after yourselves people!

There's a very complete govt sponsored list of the gps coordinates of almost every formation and feature in the park remote or otherwise. J Tree is even in its most remote areas, "developed".If this info keeps people from trampling all over the place creating braided dead ended trails looking for this formation it will have served its intended purpose. Its descripti... more >>

Comments: There are two difficult routes on the right end of the formation, Animalitos, 11b and Animalargos, 11c. These are shown as leads in the 92 Vogel guide and as TR's in Bartlet and most subsequent guides. Last year (03) we were on Baskerville and heard a commotion. A climber had come off (not sure which route) and decked zippering all his gear. He was able to make it out under his own power, miracuously avoiding any serious injury. The rock on this formation deteriorates in quality to the right... more >>

Comments: On the hard side of 10a. All of our gang did Taxman, (as well as most other a's) cleanly but took a couple of trys on this one! A kneebar helps.

If you set a TR on it, place 2 or 3 pieces for directionals.It's an optical illusion that makes the crack look much more vertical than it is when viewed from below. You could end up swinging hard from the first crux into the corner on the right if you don't set it up correctly.

Comments: Did this route a couple of years ago, and again last year. The key foothold has gone from a thought provoking C shaped smear to a larger square cut hold. Chipping?? Agreed that the bolt is not required and the gear placement more confidence inspiring than the bolt anyway. Great route though and well worth the hike.